Michael Strengthens To Category 4 Hurricane; Tropical Storm Watch In Effect South Of Charlotte
Hurricane Michael has strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour. The storm is quickly making its way to the Florida panhandle before it is expected to weaken and track over the Carolinas Thursday, causing the first-ever tropical storm watch and warning for the area.
Michael is expected to bring heavy wind and rain to the region early tomorrow morning into tomorrow afternoon. In the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, the Charlotte metro area is expecting 4 to 6 inches of rain that could cause flooding and downed trees.
There is a flash flood watch in effect for the area.
For the first time ever, we have issued a Tropical Storm Watch & Warning for portions of our area. Flash Flood Watch in effect. It’s just a whole mess of products today, but flash flooding is our #1 concern. #scwx #gawx #ncwx #wncwx #cltwx #gspwx #avlwx https://t.co/tiHgNVUr4O pic.twitter.com/efNSPWxOVF
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) October 10, 2018
The National Weather Service has also issued a tropical storm watch and warning for portions for the region south of Charlotte.
The North Carolina coast, in some of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Florence last month, is expected to get 1-2 inches of rain and see strong winds. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jake Wimberley says the ground along the coast is already saturated and additional rainfall could cause a problem. Wimberley says he does not expect the storm to linger over North Carolina and South Carolina like Hurricane Florence did. Michael is expected to head back out into the Atlantic Ocean along the Virginia – North Carolina border.